You can include your partner and children on your application if they’re eligible. Your partner and children can apply separately at a later date , for example if they’re not eligible yet. They can continue to extend their visa as your tier 1 dependant, even after you get indefinite leave to remain. Eligibility for partners Your partner may qualify if all the following apply: they have permission to be in the UK as your partner (as a ‘dependant’ on your tier 1 visa) they’ve lived in the UK with you as your dependant for at least 5 continuous years your relationship is genuine you intend to keep living together you have enough income to support yourselves and your dependants you’re not using public funds (benefits) Your partner can include time they’ve spent as your dependant on another visa to count towards the continuous years they need to qualify. They cannot count any time spent on their own visa (not as your dependant). Your partner must: pass the Life in the UK Test meet the English language requirements Eligibility for children You can include your child on your application if: they have permission to be in the UK as your child (as a ‘dependant’ on your visa) they are not married or in a civil partnership they will live with you and be supported by you without using public funds (benefits) you and your child’s other parent are both currently applying to settle, or are already settled Your child can also apply to settle in one of the following situations: you’re the child’s sole surviving parent you have sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing there are serious or compelling family or other considerations, for example you (if you’re settled in the UK) or your child has a serious illness Extra documents for children over 16 You’ll need to prove: where they live - you’ll need to explain why if they do not live with you any rent or upkeep they pay you each month that you support them financially if they do not live with you You’ll need to provide 2 documents from this list to prove where they live: bank statement credit card bill driving licence NHS registration document a letter from their current school, college or university, on headed paper and issued by an authorised official of that organisation The documents you provide cannot be more than a month old on the date you make your application. If your child lives away from home, you’ll need to provide: bank statements for you and your child covering the 3 months before the date you apply (to prove you’ve supported them) confirmation from their university or college on headed paper and issued by an authorised official (if they’re studying) Children 18 and over You can only include older children in your application if they both: were under 18 when they got permission to be in the UK as your dependant still do not live an independent life - for example, they have not got married or had children They also need to: pass the Life in the UK Test meet the English language requirements If your child is over 18 by the time you apply and does not meet these requirements, they must apply separately .

You must apply online . Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. When you apply, you’ll be asked which category of indefinite leave to remain you’re applying in. If you have a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa, you should use ‘Global Talent’. You’ll be told which documents you need to provide when you apply. You might need to show that, for example: you meet the English language requirements and have passed the Life in the UK Test you meet the financial requirements, including proof of where your money came from You’ll need to pay the fee as part of your application. Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can: upload them into the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment Any children aged 6 or over must provide biometric information if you’re applying for them on your form. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Getting a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months. If you paid to use the ‘super priority service’ you’ll get a decision within 2 working days, or within 5 working days if you paid to use the ‘priority service’. Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction If your application is approved You can do the following: work run a business study use public services, such as healthcare and schools apply for public funds (benefits) and pensions apply for British citizenship , usually after a minimum of 12 months (as long as you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years) If you stay outside the UK for 2 years You can lose your indefinite leave to remain if you stay outside the UK for 2 or more years at a time. You may need to apply before you can return to the UK .

Indefinite leave to remain if you have a business, investor or talent visa

Overview

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you have one of the following visas:

Global Talent
Tier 1 (Investor)
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

Indefinite leave to remain is a way you can settle in the UK. It’s also called ‘settlement’. Getting it means you can live, work, study or claim benefits in the UK without time restrictions. You can use it to become a British citizen.

The Global Talent visa has replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. If you have a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa, apply for indefinite leave to remain as someone with a Global Talent visa.

Eligibility

Time in the UK and financial requirements

You must:

have lived in the UK for long enough - this can be from 2 to 5 years
meet the financial requirements

The specific eligibility depends on your visa - check the time in the UK and financial requirements.

If you’re not eligible using one of these visas, there are other ways to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

Time on other visas

If you have a Global Talent visa, you can include any time you’ve spent on the following visas to meet the requirements for time spent in the UK:

any Tier 1 visa - except Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker
Scale-up Worker
Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) or T2 Minister of Religion
International Sportsperson, T2 Sportsperson or Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
Innovator Founder
Representative of an Overseas Business

If you have a Tier 1 (Investor) or Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, you cannot include time you’ve spent on other visas.

Time outside the UK

You must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months.

If you think you’re affected by this rule, find out how to calculate your time in the UK (‘continuous residence’).

If you have a Global Talent visa, time you’ve spent outside the UK doing work related to your job may not count towards this 180-day limit. This rule applies if you were endorsed by the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy or UK Research and Innovation. It also applies if you did not need an endorsement for your visa because you had won an eligible award in the fields of science, engineering, humanities or medicine.

Knowledge of language and life in the UK

If you’re 18 to 64 you’ll need to book and pass the Life in the UK Test.

You’ll also need to meet the English language requirements if you’re applying with a Global Talent visa or Tier 1 (Investor) visa.

When to apply

The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you’ve met the requirements for the time you need to have lived in the UK - check the time in the UK and financial requirements. Your application may be refused if you apply earlier.

Do not wait until your current visa expires. If your visa expires before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, you’ll need to renew it first.

Fees and how long it takes

It costs £2,885 for each person applying. You can include your partner and children on the same application form, if they’re eligible.

You’ll each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months if you apply using the standard service.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Get a faster decision on your application

If you’re applying using your Tier 1 (Investor visa), you can pay an extra £500 to use the priority service to get a decision within 5 working days.

If you’re applying using your Tier 1 (Investor) or Global Talent visa, you can pay an extra £1,000 to use the super priority service to get a decision:

by the end of the next working day after providing your fingerprints and photo (known as ‘biometric information’) if your appointment is on a weekday
2 working days after providing your biometric information if your appointment is at the weekend

Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.

The priority and super priority services are not available if you’re applying with a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Indefinite leave to remain if you have a business, investor or talent visa

Overview

Eligibility

Time in the UK and financial requirements

Time on other visas

Time outside the UK

Knowledge of language and life in the UK

When to apply

Fees and how long it takes

Get a faster decision on your application

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

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Indefinite leave to remain if you have a business, investor or talent visa

Overview

Eligibility

Time in the UK and financial requirements

Time on other visas

Time outside the UK

Knowledge of language and life in the UK

When to apply

Fees and how long it takes

Get a faster decision on your application

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK